Side projects can sound as a deception or outstanding to Metal fans due one aspect: the need to look for similarities with the main bands of the musicians. But it’s not a fair thing, because no one want to have a side project to play the very same thing. And BAT’s “Under the Crooked Claw” can be used as an example for such thing. The trio enlisted Arthur Rizk (recording, mixing), Dave Rust (recording of the vocals and lead guitars), and Joel Grind (mastering) to help them on the studio do breed a sonority that could fit in their ambitions. And here it is: filthy and organic (the band seems to do things on the simplest way possible, without overloading the use of modern techs on the gears for the recordings), but defined and understandable in a great way.

And it's amazing as it is presented. And for making things more interesting, here are Jack Bauer (the singer of HUMUNGUS and TENGWAR) on the backing vocals and Fabio Frizzi as the performer on “Una Torcia Illumina Il Cielo”. And what amazing artwork of Brandon Holt for the cover! It’s needed to explain that the band is a brainchild of Ryan Waste of MUNICIPAL WASTE (here playing bass guitar and taking care of the vocals), having Nick Poulos (another member of MUNICIPAL WASTE and VOLTURE) and Chris Marshall (of ULTIMATE DISASTER). But one advisement: don’t look for the same Thrash Metal/Crossover outfit of Ryan’s main band (even with some similar traces, as the short timespam of the songs and some Hardcore/Punk Rock traces here and there, as heard on “Vampyre Lore”), because BAT’s music is focused on a dirty and nasty form of Speed/Heavy Metal of the first half of the 80’s, clearly inspired by MOTÖRHEAD’s classic age. It’s aggressive and thunderous, but still hooking and filled with nasty melodies. Let’s make things simple: it’s a great release!

It’s hard to chose better moments on “Under the Crooked Claw” (again: it’s a great release), but “Vampyre Lore” (a brutal and fast song filled with Hardcore adrenaline, with excellent guitar riffs and leads), “Rite for Exorcism” (a bit slower than the previous, but filled with a nasty and filthy appeal, with very good drums parts), “Streetbanger” and “Just Buried” (this one reminds the early influences of MOTÖRHEAD on Speed Metal, especially for the massive roar of the bass guitar), “Warshock” (a fast and savage Speed Metal/Hard Rock moment filled with aggressive energy, but what great vocals and backing vocals), “Horror Vision” (again very good arrangements on bass guitar can be heard and a very good rhythmic artillery of the drums), “Battered” (these old school Hardcore hooks are amazing on the guitar riffs and arrangements), and… Oh, please, listen to “Revenge of the Wolf”, “Marauders of Doom”, “Electric Warning”, “Bastardized Force” and to “Final Strike” as well, because this album is solid and as massive as the China Great Wall.

It's great to have a band as BAT on activity, and “Under the Crooked Claw” is great, really great release!